Students plant trees and get creative to protect the birds
13 December 2022
More than 100 Year 4 children from Lindisfarne Junior School recently participated in tree planting and bollard painting at a newly-installed habitat enhancement site at Old Fingal Boat Harbour Park at Fingal Head.
Council and local residents created a ‘safe haven’ to protect the threatened Glossy Black-Cockatoos and Bush Stone-curlews at Fingal Head as part of the ‘conserving cockatoos and curlews on the Tweed Coast’ project. The project focuses on conservation efforts by managing known key threats, including habitat loss and disturbance, predation and disturbance by people, domestic pets and feral animals.
Council’s project officer - wildlife protection Emily Clarke said it was great to see the enthusiasm from the Year 4 students who learned about simple measures to protect the iconic birds.
“The kids learned about how to look after natural habitat and how to make local gardens and farms Glossy Black-Cockatoo and Bush Stone-curlew friendly. They also learned about the importance of keeping pet dogs on a lead when out and about and keeping cats indoors to protect nesting birds,” Ms Clarke said.
The students helped to plant 12 food and shelter trees for the birds and unleashed their creativity and painted several bollards installed by Council to protect the birds from disturbance (particularly vehicles driving through the site and accessing the river).
“The bollards look fantastic and show some powerful messages from the students to the community about protecting our precious local wildlife.”
Lindisfarne Junior School Year 4 student Lyndsay described the experience as an important reminder about respecting our beautiful natural environment in the Tweed.
“I really enjoyed painting the bollards around the Bush Stone-curlew nesting space. When I was painting, it felt like a time to respect and appreciate nature because that was why we were there. I was also able to connect and show my creativity when painting the bollard and working together to create a beautiful image that people will see and remember,” Lyndsay said.
The bollards will remain as a reminder to the community about sharing our open spaces and living harmoniously with our unique wildlife. New seating and information signage has been installed at the site to provide quiet places of contemplation and nature appreciation for locals and visitors.
Find out more about the project. Funding for this project was provided by the NSW Government’s Environmental Trust.
Image: Tweed Byron Local Aboriginal Land Council Ranger Tommy Byrnes with Lindisfarne Junior School Year 4 students at the Fingal Head habitat enhancement site. Tommy talked to the students and teachers about incorporating stories as part of their artwork when painting the bollards.
Inset image: One of the bollards painted by the students.